Synthesis of Ultrafine Anatase Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Nanocrystals by the Microwave-Solvothermal Method

The present investigation reported the synthesis of ultrafine anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocrystals using titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) as precursor in presence of benzyl alcohol as solvent and glucose as capping agent via a microwave-solvothermal method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption, micro Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies (FT-IR). From this preparation method it was demonstrated that the obtainable TiO2 nanocrystals were less than 10 nm in mean size, mainly in anatase phase, presenting also a mesoporous structure. The use of glucose as capping agent added in the reaction system played a role in the anisotropic growth of the TiO2 nanocrystals, as evidenced by XRD domain size analysis and promoted an increase of the specific surface area.